Chinese tennis star Zheng aims for first win against Sabalenka
2024-10-13
Zheng Qinwen competing in the Wuhan Open semifinal on Saturday night in Wuhan. Provided to chinadaily.com.cn
Zheng Qinwen is set to make history today as she competes for her first WTA 1000 title and to become the first Chinese player to win the Women's Singles Championship at the Wuhan Open, held at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center in Hubei's capital.
In this season's WTA 1000 playoff, the 22-year-old Olympic champion and No. 5 seed will face top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. The two have met on three occasions where Sabalenka has claimed victory in straight sets each time.
Zheng Qinwen at the press conference following her semifinal victory. Provided to chinadaily.com.cn
Zheng expressed her excitement about competing in her hometown of Wuhan, admitting that she has high hopes for her performance at the tournament.
"I've been dealing with a slight fever, even during the first round of the China Open. Mentally, I feel strong, but physically, I'm not entirely where I want to be. Regardless, I'll give it my all in the final," Zheng said.
Looking ahead to her match against Sabalenka, Zheng believes it will be an even contest if she plays to her fullest potential.
Zheng Qinwen reacts during the semifinal match. [Photo/VCG]
"My focus is on playing my own game first, and then adjusting my strategy. I hope to perform better this time than in our previous encounters," she said.
"I've learned from past lessons and have worked on staying emotionally balanced. Sabalenka is a formidable opponent, but I'm confident in my own power as well. We'll see how it plays out."
Saturday night's semifinal at the Wuhan Open was historic, as Zheng faced Wang Xinyu in the first-ever all-Chinese semifinal at a WTA 1000 event. Zheng emerged victorious, defeating Wang 6-3, 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka hits a return. [Photo/Xinhua]
Zheng took control early, breaking Wang's serve in the fourth game of the first set to secure a 3-1 lead before closing it out 6-3. In the second set, a late break gave Zheng the edge, as she sealed the win 6-4.
Zheng fired eight aces and posted a 76 percent first-serve win rate. With the victory, she became the first Chinese player to reach the Wuhan Open final and the first since Li Na to advance to a WTA 1000 final.
Coco Gauff hits a return. [Photo/Xinhua]
In the other semifinal, top seed Sabalenka staged a comeback, rallying from 1-6, 2-4 down to defeat No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Sabalenka, now on a 16-match winning streak at the Wuhan Open, advanced to her third finals here, following victories in 2018 and 2019. It will also be her seventh singles final of the year, and her first since her US Open triumph.
